A reminder from Patricia Mark Photography to stay properly hydrated on these hot summer days we have been having in Napa Valley! This photo was taken by my husband, Mark, while we were waiting for our clients at Domaine Chandon. This little squirrel has found a handy solution to quench it’s thirst…a few drops of water trickling from a sprinkler! If you happen to be visiting Yountville, stop by Domaine Chandon and sample their sparkling wines, they are truly refreshing on a hot summer day. You may even want to have a bite to eat at their restaurant e’Toile, which is the only fine dining restaurant within a winery in Napa Valley.

We are really enjoying this paparazzi-like photography, and with all of the sessions and requests we have been getting, think it has now become one of our speciaties! All the planning, emails and phone calls back and forth, not only with the groom-to-be but with Cakebread Cellars turned out to be a huge success. Four little words…”will you marry me?” instantly and forever changed the life of Jeff and Kris. And, they have the photos to prove it. You always hear it said to live in the moment; the fun thing about photos is you can re-live the moment over and over again. Kind of like having your cake and eating it too.

The wine bottle kind of help set the stage for Jeff to pop-the-question as you can see from the photos below. Cakebread Cellars had set up a private tasting room for them and the bottle was displayed prominently on the table with assorted cheeses and crackers. When Jeff and Kris entered the room, the bottle was turned away from Kris so that she could not see the words “Will You Marry Me?”. Mark and I were tucked away in a nearby stairwell and when we heard our queue, stepped in and captured all the action. Here are just a few images from the beginning of their new chapter in their lives.

So, tell me folks, how did your boyfriend/girlfriend propose to you? I’d love to hear all about it in the comment section below. Or, if you are planning on proposing, and would love to have these kind of photographic memories to cherish, give us a call! We love to collaborate with you on these exciting sessions. : )

These two couples decided to have a double vow renewal on their ten year anniversary, although they were married on two different days within the same month. They are related to each other, (brother-in laws and sister-in-laws) which made for a fun trip to California. A few years ago we did a double wedding with two sisters that thought it would be fun to get married on the same day to their husbands. Thank goodness Mark and I shoot together, it really optimizes the couple’s photography time and makes things so much easier!

The two ladies wore the same wedding gowns as they did the day they were married and looked fantastic in them! Wrist corsages and boutonnières were by Valley Flora. I liked the idea of wrist corsages for a vow renewal, instead of the traditional bouquet that a bride typically has at a wedding. We began with some early morning portraits at Bardesonno before departing to St. Joan of Arc in Yountville. One of the unique features of the double vow renewal was that the Priest that married Bridie and Ed ten years ago was flown to California to perform their vow renewal as well as Maureen and Craigs.

A bride with 40’s style attire and a Marine, namely, Amanda and Tanner were married at Churchill Manor. Amanda was not only beautiful in her bird cage veil but pulled off wearing Tanner’s cover for a couple of photos equally as well!

I was pleased to hear that these four dogs have found their forever homes!!! They were part of the photo shoot we did for Whiskers, Tails and Ferals adoption event presented by Yountville Arts. Congratulations Lucy, Dixie, Co Co and Benny on a beautiful new beginning! The available dogs for adoption can be seen every Saturday at Petco in Napa. The cats can be seen daily at Petco as well.

There will be a fundraiser on Sunday, July 14, 2013 from 1 – 5pm by Whiskers, Tails and Ferals to benefit shelter animals at 1114 Bell Lane in Napa. Tickets are $35. and children under 12 are FREE. See Whiskers, Tails and Ferals link for purchasing details. There will be wine and food samplings by local wineries and restaurants, live and silent auction and entertainment by Later Dayz Band. Come on out for a fun afternoon and to help a shelter animal!